Queso Fresco Crumbling Cheese
Queso fresco is a fresh, crumbly white cheese made from cow's milk, popular in Mexican cuisine for tacos and salads. Classified under 0406.90.99.00 as it represents 'other cheeses' not matching specific types like Parmesan or Edam. Mild flavor with high moisture content, sold in blocks or wheels.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If legally named 'cottage cheese'
Cottage cheese has specific subheading regardless of national naming.
If processed from specific quota cheeses
Mixtures containing quota cheeses like Cheddar shift to those subheadings.
If low-fat (0.5% or less butterfat)
Low-fat cheese substitutes fall under separate quota limitations.
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Import Tips & Compliance
• Ensure FDA prior notice filing and pasteurization certification for raw milk cheeses
• Document moisture and fat content to distinguish from cottage cheese (0406.10)
• Check for TRQ eligibility under general cheese quotas if from quota countries
Related Products under HTS 0406.90.99.00
Halloumi Cheese
Halloumi is a semi-hard, brined cheese originating from Cyprus, made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk with a distinctive chewy texture. It falls under HTS 0406.90.99.00 as 'other cheese' since it doesn't fit specific quota categories like Cheddar or Swiss and is not a mixture containing certain subheadings. Typically sold in vacuum-sealed blocks for grilling or frying.
Paneer Indian Cottage Cheese
Paneer is an fresh acid-set cheese from cow or buffalo milk, staple in Indian cuisine, pressed into firm blocks. It qualifies for HTS 0406.90.99.00 as 'other cheese' excluding quota-specific varieties and certain mixtures. Unaged with mild, milky flavor for curries and grilling.
Manchego Cheese Wheels
Manchego is a firm sheep's milk cheese from Spain aged 2-12 months, with nutty flavor and PDO protection. Falls under 0406.90.99.00 as 'other cheese' not specified in quota categories like Italian-types. Sold in distinctive wax-coated wheels.
Feta Cheese PDO Crumbles
Authentic PDO Feta is brined sheep/goat milk cheese from Greece with tangy, salty flavor in crumbly texture. Classified 0406.90.99.00 as 'other' since US doesn't recognize EU Feta quota protection for non-Greek origins. Typically imported in barrels or plastic tubs.
Mascarpone Italian Cream Cheese
Mascarpone is a triple-cream, soft cheese made from cow's cream, used in tiramisu with rich, velvety texture. Under HTS 0406.90.99.00 as 'other cheese' due to high fat content excluding it from quota-specific categories. Packed in plastic tubs for dessert applications.
Ricotta Salata Aged Cheese
Ricotta salata is salted, aged whey cheese from Italy, firm and grateable unlike fresh ricotta. Fits 0406.90.99.00 as 'other cheese'; whey-derived but molded and meeting cheese criteria per chapter notes. Used in salads and pasta.